Dave's Hopper Fly Tying Instructions by Charlie Craven

Fly Tying Recipe:
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Hook: TMC 5262 #4-12
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Thread: Yellow UNI 6/0
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Tail: Red Deer Belly Hair
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Hackle: Brown Rooster Neck
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Body: Yellow Poly Yarn
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Wing: Mottled turkey quill, vinyl coated
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Legs: Knotted Ringneck Pheasant Tail Fibers
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Head and Collar: Natural Deer Body Hair, spun and trimmed to shape
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The Dave’s Hopper comes from the vise of uber fly designer Dave Whitlock. Mr. Whitlock may be the most prolific designer in the world at the moment with several what have become standard designs to his credit. Dave’s Hopper is one of the most popular flies in the bins, but one of the harder patterns to tie correctly. The spun deer hair head and collar give many tyers fits, and the knotted legs aren’t all that easy or quick to do either. I fished this fly for many years before I came up with my Charlie Boy Hopper, and can attest that it does indeed catch fish and float well. I find that this fly sits a little low in the water and does become waterlogged after a few fish, thus the reason I started messing around with foam. Nonetheless, the Dave’s Hopper is a great pattern to add to your fly box and tying repertoire. Tie a few up and throw something old school like this the next time you’re out!